Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-01-20

their slaves to our fathers-not to be praised fos
knowing paying thing when they sawit- The re-
lations of the Southern people with the negro
are close and cordial. We remember with what
fidelity for four years he guarded our defense.
less women and children, whose husbands ana
fathers were lighting against lneh lreeuoln- 70
his eternal credit be il said that whenever nc
struck :. blow for his own liberty he 1ougnt IN
open battle, and when at last he raised ms
black and humble hands that the shackles
might be struck of, those hands were lhnocenS
of wron. against his helpless charges, and
worthy to be taken in loving grasp by every
man who honors loyalty and devotion Humans
have maltreated him. rascals have missed him,
philanthropists established n bank for hlr1 oub
the South with the North protests against IN
Justice TO this simple and sincere people 10
liberty and acknowledgements is as far as law can
carry the negro The rest must De lSLt 70 Son-
science and common sense. II should De Ieit 10
those among whom his lot is cast, with ~hom nc
is indissoiubly connected, and whose prosperity
depends upon their possessing MS lntclhgeht
sympathy and confidence. Faith has been kept
with him in spite of calupln!ouS assertions a.
the contrary. by those who assume 10 speak Tor
by frank opponents. Faith VIII De kept
with him in the future if the South holds her
reason and integrity.
But have we kept faith with your In inc
fullest sense yes. When Lee surrehde at,,-ca
don't say when Johnston surrendered because
understand lie still alludes TO the time when
he determined to abandon any further prosecur
ton of the struggle when Lee surrendered,
say, and Johnston quit, the South became and
has been since, loyal TO this Union. We 1ougnt
hard enough to know that we were whipped
and in perfect frankness accepted as final the
arbitrament of the sword TO which we had APP
pealed. The South found her jewel in toad
head. The shackles that had held her in narrow
limitations fell forever when the shackles OF the
negro slave were broken. Under the old regime
the negroes were slaves to the South, the South
was a slave to the system. Thus was gathered
in the hands of a splendid and chlValrlc OIL
earchy the substance that should have been
diffused among the people, as the rich blood is
gathered at the heart, filling that with afhuent
rapture, but leaving the body chill and colorleSs
The old South rested everything on slavery
and agriculture, unconscious that these couIu
neither give nor maintain healthy growth Inc
new South presents n perfect democracy, the
oligarchs leading into the popular movements
social system compact and closely knitted, less
core; hundred farms for every plantation, nity
homes for every palace-and a diversified IN
dustry that meets the complex needs OF this
The new South is enamored of her new work
Her soul is stirred with the breath of new life.
The light of a grander day is falling fair on her
face. She is thrilling, sir with the conscious
ness of growing power and prosperity. AS she
stands full-statured and equal among the people
of the earth, breathing the keen air and looking
out upon an expanding horizon, she understands
that her emancipation came because in the IN
scrutable wisdom of God her honest purpose
was crossed and her brave armies were beaten
This is said in no spirit of time serving and
apology. should be unjust to the South II did
not make ths'plain in this presence. The South
has nothing to take back; nothing for which she
has excuses to make. In my native town OF Atm
ems is a monument that crowns its central hills
plain white shaft Deep cut into its shining
sides is name dear to me above the names OF
men, that of a brave and simple man who died
in brave and simple faith Not for all the glorleS
OF New England, from Plymouth Rock all the
way, would 1 exchange the heritage he left me
in his patriots death. To the foot of that shaft
1 shall send my children's children to reverence
him who ennohled their name with his heroic
blood But, sir, speaking from the shadow Of
that memory, which honor as do nothing else
on earth, say that the cause in which he suf-
fered. and for which he gave his life, was adj
judged by higher and fuller wisdom than his or
mine, and glad that the omniscient God
held the balance OF battle in His Almighty hand,
and that the American Union was saved from
the wreck.
This message Mr.. President, comes TO you
from consecrated ground. Every foot OF the
soil about the city in which live is sacred as 4
: battle ground of the Republic. Every hill that
invests it is hallowed to you by the blood of
your brothers, who died for your victory, and
doubly hallowcd to us by the blood OF those who
died hopeless, but undaunted, in defeat-sacred
soil to all of uS-rich with memories that make
us purer, and stronger, and better-silent- but
staunch witness in its rich deSolatiou of the
matchless valor OF American hearts and the
deathleSs glory of American armS-SpeaSinS
and eloquent witness in its white peace and
prosperity to the indissolube union of the
American States. and the imperiShable brother
hood of the American people.